Window construction with easily removable sashes

ABSTRACT

There are on the market window constructions which include several forms of removable sashes. However these have disadvantages which in varying degrees have kept them from becoming widely accepted. Some involved windows so modified for ease of removal that they are not conventional. Others provide for removing one window from the inside and one from the outside. Windows of the double hung type are provided herein which can be easily removed from the inside.

United States Patent [191 [451 Apr. 23, 1974' Scott WINDOW CONSTRUCTION WITH EASILY REMOVABLE SASHES [76] lnventor: Charles G. Scott, 106 Market St.,

Kingsport, Tenn. 37662 [22] Filed: June 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 259,006

52' US. Cl. 49/454 [51] Int. Cl E05d 15/18 [58] Field of Search..... 49/454, 453; 287/189, 36 H [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,821,674 9/1931 Shapiro 49/453 X 2,514,349

7/1950 Nardulli 3,2l9,-l57 11/1965 Gordon ..287/l89.36l-l Primary Examinerl(enneth Downey [57] ABSTRACT There are on the market window constructions which include several forms of removable sashes. However these have disadvantages which in varying degrees have kept them from becoming widely accepted.

Some involved windows so modified for ease of re- 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WINDOW CONSTRUCTION WITH EASILY REMOVABLE SASHES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manufacturers of storm windows have long known that such windows must be readily removable both for cleaning and for screen replacement. For this reason storm windows having a single pane covering the entire window are seldom used. The difficulty of cleaning ordinary windows of the double hung type, especially upstairs windows or those covered by screens, clearly demonstrates that there is also a need for easily removable conventional windows.

There are on the market, or otherwise available, window constructions which include several forms of removable sashes. Unfortunately these have several disadvantages which in varying degrees have kept them from being widely accepted by the public. Perhaps the chief disadvantage is that a'desirable means for removing conventional windows has not been provided. As an example in the means described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,934,799 filler strips are inserted along with a narrower upper window. The upper sash is somewhat narrower than the lower sash so that when its bottom end is swung outwardly, the stiles will clear the window guides used for the lower sash. Removable sashes are also described in us. Pat. No. 2,815,544. However one sash is removed inside and the other sash is removed outside of the building. Other removable structures such as those in US. Pat.'Nos. 3,290,825 and 2,503,081 require special frames, windows or tracks. Thus window assemblies which include easily removable sashes are often expensive or complicated to operate, and some are difficult to install and remove. Few utilize the average wooden window, and most require extensive modification of the window frame.

By the practice of this invention these various difficulties have been overcome. A window is is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture and install. The sashesare smooth to operate, easy to removeysimple to reinstall and readily adaptable to existing frames.

SUMMARY or THE iNvENTioN The invention inone embodiment encompasses windows of the double hung variety, except that since the sashes are removable, the usual weights or springs are either not used, or are capable of being easily disconnected from the sash-The assembly contemplates a front sash and a back sash in confronting relation with each other, each having stiles slide-able in sash runways. A pair of inner channel members are disposed in parallel relation on opposite side jambs of windows moving up anddown or top and bottom jambs of windows moving sideways, forming the runways for the inner sash. Similarouter channels form runways for outer sashes. To be removed the sashes are slid to the limit of their open positions. Hence the channel members are about the lengths of window sashes. Resilient channel elements engage and retain the sash stiles in the runways,

and permit swinging sashes therein to inclined positions.

when the sash is in its open position so that the sash can be tilted inwardly and removed from the window frame. Means are proviried detachably securing one of the inner channel members to the frame so that it can be readily removed leaving the jamb clear or unobstructed to permit removal of the outer sash, relative to the building. The outer sash, being slideable in similar channel-formed runways, can be swung to an inclined position between the remaining inner-channel and the unobstructed jamb when the sash is in its open position so that the sash can be tilted inwardly and removed from the window frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION There are many owners of older houses who would like to modernize the appearance of their homes by the insertion of new, up-to-date windows. As the same time many homeowners prefer windows which can be readily removed for cleaning. This invention advantageously lends itself to such usages. This and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description in the light of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the assembly of this invention including a double-sash 1 window and its frame.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the-upper and lower sash runways.

FIG. 3 represents a broken view of a portion of the window assembly with the bottom sash removed.

FIG. 4 represents abroken view of the window assembly with the top sash to be removed.

FIG. 5 is an'elevational view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the channels.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the numeral 2 represents a window frame shown from the inside and which includes a head jamb 4, side jambs 6 and 8, and a sill 10.

.The window frame 2 is of generally conventional construction which is common to many'windows in which sashes move upwardly and downwardly. The head jamb and sill are held in place by the side jambs so that a rigid integral frame results, the lengths of the side jambs being sufficient to accommodate both window sashes. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a conventional blind stop 31, borders the outer edge of the side jambs to protect the jambs and the. sash from rain and weather.

The sashes are of the usual rectangular shape and are arranged in window frame 2 in confronting relation with each other. An upper window sash of conventional construction has upper and lower frame elements 14 and 16 and side stiles 18 and 20. Similarly a lower window sash has upper and lower frame elements 22 and 24 and side stiles 26 and 28. Obviously the upper and lower sashes have window panes 30 therein. If desired, suitable weather stripping can be provided on the appropriate surfaces of these window sashes to provide a weather seal when the sashes are closed.

Each of the window sashes is movable by sliding vertically in runways provided therefor. Desirably these runways are in the form of upper channel members 32 mounted in abutment with blind stop 31 and. lower channel members 34, mounted in spaced relation to blind stop 31. Channel members 32 and 34, when made of plastic or metal include back plate 36 and flanges 38. These channels are fabricated so that the flanges act as inwardly directed grips. This biting or clamping action holds the window sashes in any desired position. This is shown in FIG. 6. As seen in the figures channel members 34 and 32 are secured to opposite side jambs 6 and 8 approximately parallel to each other to provide vertical runways in which the stiles slide. In order to permit removal of sashes, however, the channel members do not extend the full length of the side jambs.

Generally the length of each channel member will be sufficient to accommodate the window sash slideably therein, and seldom does the length of the channel member exceed the length of the window carried thereby. In fact in the case of unequal windows, say where the lower window sash is larger, in a vertical direction, than an upper sash, the channel members carrying the lower sash may be shorter, vertically, than the lower sash. Channel member 32 thus originates at the head jamb, and extends along the side jamb for about the length of the upper window sash, its free end being at or near the bottom of the upper window. In a preferred embodiment the channels overlap as shown in FIG. 2 to form a weather seal. As indicated the channel sides or flanges must bear against stiles 18 and 20 with sufficient clamping or gripping action sothat they will hold the window sash in any position. It is preferred, therefore, that plastic or tempered steel channel members such as shown in the drawings be used.

One of the features of this invention is that means are provided for removing both the upper and lower window sashes inwardly inside the building while still using conventional sashes. This is made possible by removable channel member 34. Holding screws 44 are accommodated by keyholes 46 struck in back plate or base 36 of channel member 34. For removal the chan nel is merely raised so that the screw head passes through the larger opening of the keyhole. The channel member will then be out of obstructing relation with the upper sash. If wood channel-forming members are employed, slots permitting removal of such members will be cut.

Considering now the operation, in order to remove the upper and lower window sashes from the window frame, the sashes are moved to their completely open positions. The inner sash, in this case the lower one, will be raised to its fully open position. In this position the upper end of this lower sash is pulled inwardly and the sash is lifted out of the runway, leaving only the upper window sash in place as shown in FIG. 3. runway channel member 34 will then be exposed as seen in FIG. 2. This channel member is removed and the upper sash is lowered as shown in FIG. 4. It is noted that the upper sash is already clear of upper channel members 32. The right side of the sash (FIG. 4) can now be swung forwardly until it is clear of the window frame, whereupon the sash is taken out of the frame.

Given the teachings of this invention various modifications and ramifications will occur to those skilled in the art. As an example, old window frames can be re-- lined with new modern paneling, covering up the old, undesirable, counterbalancing weights and finishings which can be left in the wall. The channel members of this invention can then be installed and new windows inserted. In addition means other than keyholes and screws, such as catches and the like, can be used to hold the removable channel in place. Obviously the windows need not be equal in length. The channel members can also be disposed horizontally as shown in FIG. 5, if desired for sliding windows. Flanges 38 can have their tips rolled, flared or otherwise shaped so that they do not cut into the stiles. It is also possible to cover the stile ends with plastic strips to prevent the flanges from cutting in. Such variations are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A window assembly, including a head jamb, a sill, side jambs, a blind stop mounted along the outer border of said side jambs and inner and outer sash, each sash having stiles, r

A. the improvement in means for slidably mounting said sash in coplanar confronting relationship which comprises:

1. sash runways for frictionally gripping said sash stiles in slidable engagement, including:

a. a pair of inner and outer channel members disposed in parallel relation on opposite jambs of the window:

1. each of said channel members having a central web and projecting flange members, said flange members beingbiased inwardly for frictionally engaging saidsash stiles inslidable but position retaining engagement B. said inner channel members being of about equal length to said inner sash stiles, the upper portion of the inner flanges of each inner channel member being cut away so as to permit removal of said inner sash when raised from said window frame from the open end of said inner channel member; and,

C. said outer channel members being about equal in length to said outer sash to overlap said inner channel members toward their open ends and being mounted in abutment with said blind stop so as to prevent removal of said outer sash through the open ends of said outer channel members from the outside;

D. the improvement of means detachably securing one of said inner channel members to the jamb so that it can be removed, leaving an unobstructed jamb to permit removal of said outer sash when lowered from the inside.

2. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the channel members are vertically disposed along the side jambs, the sashes being vertically slideable in said run: ways. i i

3. The window assembly of claim 2 wherein the outer window is the upper window, the channel members therefor extending along the side jambs from the'head jamb downwardly toward the center of the side jambs with the open ends near the bottom end of the upper window, and wherein the inner window is the lower window, the channel members therefor extending along the side jambs from the sill upwardly toward the,

and outer channel members are fabricated of resilient plastic. 

1. A window assembly, including a head jamb, a sill, side jambs, a blind stop mounted along the outer border of said side jambs and inner and outer sash, each sash having stiles, A. the improvement in means for slidably mounting said sash in coplanar confronting relationship which comprises:
 1. sash runways for frictionally gripping said sash stiles in slidable engagement, including: a. a pair of inner and outer channel members disposed in parallel relation on opposite jambs of the window:
 1. each of said channel members having a central web and projecting flange members, said flange members being biased inwardly for frictionally engaging said sash stiles in slidable but position retaining engagement B. said inner channel members being of about equal length to said inner sash stiles, the upper portion of the inner flanges of each inner channel member being cut away so as to permit removal of said inner sash when raised from said window frame from the open end of said inner channel member; and, C. said outer channel members being about equal in length to said outer sash to overlap said inner channel members toward their open ends and being mounted in abutment with said blind stop so as to prevent removal of said outer sash through the open ends of said outer channel members from the outside; D. the improvement of means detachably securing one of said inner channel members to the jamb so that it can be removed, leaving an unobstructed jamb to permit removal of said outer sash when lowered from the inside.
 2. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the channel members are vertically disposed along the side jambs, the sashes being vertically slideable in said runways.
 3. The window assembly of claim 2 wherein the outer window is the upper window, the channel members therefor extending along the side jambs from the head jamb downwardly toward the center of the side jambs with the open ends near the bottom end of the upper window, and wherein the inner window is the lower window, the channel members therefor extending along the side jambs from the sill upwardly toward the center of the side jambs with their open ends near the end of the lower window.
 4. The window assembly of claim 3 wherein the inner and outer channel members are fabricated of resilient metal.
 5. The window assembly of claim 3 wherein the inner and outer channel members are fabricated of resilient plastic. 